Planning Application Details

Due to the rural and agricultural character of the existing site at the edge of the small settlement within the setting of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) the development proposed, through the inclusion of an Edwardian style two storey detached property, would have an urbanising effect on the character of the existing site and landscape edge of the village and obstruct existing views into and across the site from the adjoining highway. The proposal includes the provision of driveways for onsite parking and turning to the front of the site which reduces the opportunity to provide soft landscaping to mitigate the visual impact of the proposed development on the character of the existing street scene. Furthermore, the presence of driveways and parked cars to the front of the site would have a further urbanising effect on the character of the site, street and village edge. The development proposed would erode the existing rural and agricultural character of the site at the edge of the settlement, would form an incongruous relationship with the pattern of development along the street and result in harm to the historic character of the village and surrounding countryside within the setting of the Chilterns AONB. The proposed development conflicts with the aims of the NPPF and is contrary to South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 policies STRAT1, H8, H16, DES1, DES2 and ENV1 and policies H1, H3, H4, ENV4 and SD3 of the Joint Henley & Harpsden Neighbourhood Plan.

Due to the modest private rear gardens and similarly modest size and scale of the dwelling at the neighbouring site (Halfway Cottage) the proposed part single part two storey dwelling to the east of the development proposed would form an overbearing element along the shared boundary to the east which would unduly impact the light and outlook of the dwelling and private rear gardens of the adjoining neighbour contrary to South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 policies H16 and DES6.